The 28th Freedom Fund Brunch and Silent Auction, hosted by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Garland, Texas Unit, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 15. The silent auction begins at 9 a.m. Brunch is at 10 a.m. Event location is Hyatt Place at 5101 North President George Bush Highway in Garland. The theme of this year’s event is “Defeat Hate, Engage, Vote and Participate.”
Master of Ceremonies will be recording artist and songwriter Reuben Lael Griffin. The keynote speaker is Dr. Lavern J. Holyfield, National 1st Vice President of NANBPWC, Inc.
Youth scholarship recipients will be recognized and the GISD African American seniors with the highest GPA will be recognized for each of the seven high schools.
Youth Scholarship Recipients from GISD • Elaine Bradley Scholarship – NAACP Garland Youth Council member to be announced • GISD African American seniors with the highest GPA will be recognized for each of the seven high schools.
Corporate sponsor at platinum level is Dallas Dodge Chrysler Jeep. Gold level sponsor is Garland Power & Light.
Adult award recipients include:
- Educator of the Year – Danielle Twitty, Rowlett High School
- Entrepreneur of the Year – Trish Hill, Salon Owner, Motivational Speaker
- Bridge Builder of the Year – Jennifer Nguyen, Chair of Garland Multi-cultural Commission
- Community Service – Delores Elder-Jones – Community Activist, Photographer
Brief history of NAACP Garland Unit: The Garland Unit of the NAACP was chartered July 6, 1984 with 127 members. Goldie Locke served as founding president and Johnnie O. Steadham was first vice president, along with 18 executive committee members. Two of the original 18 board members are still active today: Mr. Chester Johnson currently serves as chair of Legal Redress and Ms. Carol Montgomery is active on two committees. Mr. Richard Dockery, NAACP regional director, chaired the standing-room-only organizational meeting where two key issues were addressed: 1) the firing of African American police officer Sam Allen; 2) substandard schools in the minority area of Garland. Mr. Sam Allen was later rehired as a Garland fireman. To address schools, the Garland Unit became a plaintiff to the original school desegregation court order filed by the United States Justice Department and the Texas Education Agency. This judgment is still in effect today. Website of NAACP Garland Unit.
For more information on this event visit www.garlandtxnaacp.org.